If you absolutely must apply a waterproof mascara for a special occasion, we recommend opting for the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Waterproof Mascara. This brand is a leader in products for sensitive skin, so it makes sense that their mascaras would be a first choice for folks with sensitive eyes, too. If you suffer from sensitive eyes, you probably already know how much of a pain it can be to deal with mascara. From excessive smudging thanks to watery eyes to redness from an irritating formula, finding a mascara that won’t bother sensitive eyes can be a challenge. It has a natural finish, so you might need two or three coats if you're looking to make a statement.

Brands that have a trusted reputation for treating sensitive skin and eyes that support their claims with hypoallergenic, allergy-tested or ophthalmologist- or ophthalmologically-tested methodologies, as mentioned above, if you tend to experience irritation.Dr. Brissette is also not a fan of waterproof mascara for sensitive eyes. “It is so hard to take off that you end up pulling and tugging on the delicate eyelid skin and lashes, which can cause damage and irritation and even can cause the lashes to fall out,” she explains. She adds that it's common to think you've removed all of your waterproof mascara, but little particles can remain and eventually migrate into your eyes, causing additional irritation. According to Ashley Brissette, MD, MSc, FRCSC, an ophthalmologist at Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and founder of Daily Practice, eye sensitivity is really common, especially with makeup. “Some common signs of sensitivity are redness (of the eyelids or the eyes themselves), watery eyes, itching or burning, swelling or puffy eyes, and blurry vision,” she explains. And any of these symptoms could be a sign that you have a sensitivity or allergy to eye makeup, she adds. We interviewed a board-certified dermatologist, an ophthalmologist, and two optometrists for their recommendations and commentary on the best mascaras for sensitive eyes. The experts we spoke to include:

Dr. DeRosa feels the same. “‘Clean’ does not give you a real measure of what is in the mascara and whether it is better for sensitive eyes. 'Clean’ and ‘natural’ ingredients still can be irritating to sensitive eyes,” she explains. Instead of looking for a mascara that claims it's clean, she recommends opting for a mascara that claims it is hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist tested. Jennifer Tsai, a board-certified optometrist and owner of LINE OF SIGHT, a modern concierge eyecare practice with an integrative, holistic approach in New York City Carly Rose, OD, a board-certified optometrist and founder of Clear Eyes + Aesthetics in Cincinnati, OH, is a big fan of the Beautycounter Think Big All in One mascara for a few reasons. “Not only is this richly pigmented mascara EWG Verified, but it actually has conditioning tripeptides to help nourish your lashes,” she explains. “I always say that healthy lashes are beautiful lashes. That's the real secret in how to grow long, lushes lashes safely.” Dr. DeRosa recommends skipping waterproof mascara altogether if you have sensitive eyes. She explains that waterproof mascara is especially hard to remove, which means you have to scrub extra hard or use stronger cleansers to take it off at the end of the day. And this additional rubbing can result in irritation. Fragrance and natural extracts. Steer clear of mascaras that include fragrance on the ingredients list, which can be an irritant, and those that contain natural extracts, which can trigger allergies, Wizemann suggests.

Customer reviews

While we love the clean formula and nourishing ingredients in this mascara, we do notice that it tends to clump a bit after you apply more than one coat. We suggest using a lash comb after use to eliminate any clumps. Dr. Rose loves this mascara because it’s free of parabens, coal tar dyes, and several other offenders, and it actually performs. “I am still trying to wrap my head around how this one isn't a waterproof mascara because it stays put so well,” she explains. Carly Rose, OD, a board-certified optometrist and founder of Clear Eyes + Aesthetics in Cincinnati, OH Ashley Brissette, MD, MSc, FRCSC, an ophthalmologist at Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital and founder of Daily Practice Just like any makeup, mascara does expire. The more important issue is the growth of bacteria in the bottle and the risk of infection, especially if you are using preservative-free mascara. Dr. DeRosa recommends throwing out your mascara every three months (or sooner).

The 49-year-old shared her beauty secrets in a recent interview with Shop TODAY, where she spoke about the mascara and a few more of her other must-have products. “I love a drugstore mascara,” she said. This mascara not only volumizes and lengthens, but it also has hydrating ingredients to help strengthen your lashes. We like that the applicator is slim and not bulky, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally smudging the product onto your lash line during application. We love how easy this is to apply, and how easy it is to wash off. However, you’re going to have to apply multiple coats if you prefer the look of voluminous lashes.

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Clean mascara is better for sensitive eyes, in theory, but the term “clean” isn’t a regulated claim. Dr. Brissette explains that "clean" usually means the product doesn't include fragrances or dyes. However, "clean" can mean something different to every company, and a claim that a product is clean doesn't guarantee your eyes won't be irritated by it, she adds. We also chose products we’ve personally tried and had success with. Lastly, we made sure each of the mascaras we’ve recommended includes clean ingredients, is non-irritating, and adds volume and length to lashes, too. The most common ingredients that can cause eye irritation include synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, coal tar, polyethylene glycol, and formaldehyde. “If possible, it is best to avoid waterproof mascara because it can dry out your lashes, making them more brittle and prone to breakage,” suggests Jennifer Tsai, a board-certified optometrist and owner of LINE OF SIGHT in New York City. So, here’s the deal with waterproof mascara: Most dermatologists and ophthalmologists recommend not using waterproof mascara on sensitive eyes. Unsurprisingly, most waterproof mascaras are very difficult to remove, which can cause a lot of irritation to sensitive eyes. Jaimie DeRosa, MD, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder and lead facial plastic surgeon of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Boston, Massachusetts